Knowing Your Cannabis: A Year-End Round-up

Any enthusiast knows that marijuana is different from hemp. This is part of Cannabis 101 which we have discussed a few months back. They probably know that the two are a variety of the cannabis plant. However, many people are not aware of the exact differences between the two types of cannabis plant. With the one-year anniversary of the 2018 Farm Bill coming up, you might want to brush up on your knowledge regarding hemp and marijuana. Here’s a simple guide to freshen up your knowledge.

Cannabis 101 – Hemp vs Marijuana

What is Hemp?

The differences

Hemp is a type of the plant with scientific name Cannabis sativa L. It is known for being high in fiber. Because of this, it is regarded as a viable cash crop, as well as a potential energy crop. In determining whether a plant is a hemp or marijuana, a key difference is the plant’s THC content.

By law, a plant is considered hemp if it contains high amounts of cannabidiol (CBD) and with less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in the plant. These plants are usually grown outdoors. With its fibrous leaves and stems, it is a good source of fiber for textiles, building materials, plastics, paper, and industrial oils. The high amount of CBD it contains makes it a rich source of CBD extracts.

The similarities

While the main difference between hemp and marijuana is the amount of cannabinoid it contains, the two also bears similarity in terms of its contents. Hemp is a variety of cannabis, so it is bound to have THC, albeit at very low levels. Female plants also produce seeds and flowers, while male plants pollinate female plants for seeds.

Significant Hemp laws in the US

The most significant laws in the US that pertain to hemp is none other than the 2018 Farm Bill. This law makes it legal for American farmers to plant, grow and harvest hemp for industrial purposes. This also emphasized that this type is the only variety of legal nationwide, save for some marijuana state laws.

What is Marijuana?

The differences

Marijuana plants are the variety that have more than 0.3% THC. It can come in two popular species: Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica. Sativa is known for having lower THC and higher CBD, while indica has higher THC and lower CBD. However, these two types still fall under the marijuana category as any cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3 THC, usually 5% to 30% are considered MJ.

While CBD products derived from hemp are legitimate, those that come from marijuana are federally illegal. Moreover, these need close attention during cultivation. They are usually grown indoors.

The similarities

As mentioned, the two types are simply varieties of the plant. They both contain CBD and THC. Moreover, the plants can both be reproduced through seeds and have flowers.

Significant Cannabis laws in the US

When talking about laws pertaining to marijuana, it is important to check individual state laws. This is because MJ remains to be a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration. However, some states have passed laws that legalize the use of medical and recreational marijuana. Because of this, MJ-infused products are only legal in a country that has pertinent laws in place.

Buying Cannabis Products: A Conclusion

When buying cannabis products such as CBD oil, topicals, and even edibles, it is important to make sure that they are legal in your state. This way, you do not have to worry about legal consequences related to your consumption. This also ensures that the product you are purchasing and consuming is safe and regulated, making your experience worry- and hassle-free, yet healthy and beneficial.

I hope you have learned something new on this cannabis 101 article. If you have any comments, suggestions or any feedback, just let us know.

Kratom – Benefits, Uses, and Dosage

Curious about Kratom? Perhaps, you might have encountered the term while scrolling online. Or maybe, you’ve heard it somewhere and got curious on what the word refers to.

Often, for people who are familiar with the Southeast Asian culture, Kratom may originally refer to the herbal supplement used traditionally by the masses to relieve aches and pains in the past. However, to date, the identity of Kratom has become more complicated than that.

Specifically, from an herbal supplement, the plant shifted to a recreational drug often used to elevate mode, boost physical endurance, and even relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Below, we have rounded up everything you need to know about this traditional herbal medicine, along with its benefits, uses, and dosage. Read on to know more.

What is Kratom?

Essentially, the term Kratom refers to a type of evergreen tree found in Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines and other South Asian countries.

What gave the tree a special status is its leaves, which are used as medicine and as recreational drug when chopped, chewed, or made into tea.

Are there Benefits Attached to Consuming Kratom?

Specifically, the leaves of Kratom contains two potent alkaloids, named the mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. When ingested, these alkaloids can produce euphoria and provide pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxant effects.

Due to this, the plant has been used traditionally by local labourers in Asia to combat fatigue and relieve pain that come with their day-to-day tasks

However, that is just the beginning.

Soon, due to the plant’s mood-boosting effects, it was later adapted to become an alternative med to treating mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Its sedative feature, which evokes feelings of euphoria, also made it an ideal treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms from illicit drug use.

How Much Kratom Should One Take?

Generally, consuming Kratom can lead to either a stimulant or sedative effect.

To achieve the first one, it is advised to take the substance in low doses, usually lower than 10 grams. When this happens, people who take the plant are expected to feel a boost in their energy, alertness, and giddiness. However, similar to the ‘high’ effect associated with marijuana, kratom consumption also leads to reduced motor coordination.

The effects are said to usually start within 10 minutes after ingesting the plant and can last up to one and half hour.

Meanwhile, when taken in larger dose, usually between 10 to 25 grams, users are to experience kratom’s sedative effect, which are often described with general feelings of calmness and euphoria lasting up to six hours.

Why Is It Banned in Other Countries?

Generally, while there is good anecdotal emerging evidence that kratom are effective in relieving withdrawal symptoms, there are also a few studies suggesting that using the herbal medicine can lead to the development of another addiction.

In one particular study, for instance, people who took kratom for over six months were reported to had experienced withdrawal symptoms similar to those that occur after opioid use.

Other side effects also often linked to the drug include constipation, severe weight loss, insomnia, and loss of appetite.

Because of these, kratom remains to be a controversial medicine in the science field.

What Now?

To date, with still no sufficient clinical and rigorous studies focusing on kratom, its benefits remain to be deeply anecdotal.

However, despite this, many proponents still believe that the true medicinal potential of the herbal medicine is still yet to be unveiled.

A 7-Step Guide To Growing Marijuana at Home

All the talk about cannabis can cause excitement to the point of getting your hands dirty and growing your very own plant. It can be a fun hobby and the start of an exciting business opportunity as well.

Also, for individuals using cannabis for medicinal value, it is possible to obtain the best quality buds grown with proper care. From seeds to buds, here are seven steps to follow to grow a cannabis plant at home.

1. Choose the Perfect Spot

The place you select for your plant must be secluded and out of the way to reduce tampering. It must offer the liberty to control essential parameters such as temperature and light for the plant to grow well.

You can choose an empty room, basement, attic, garage, or any space available that is easy to clean and private to grow your very own cannabis.

2. Pick the Right Seeds

Choosing the right cannabis seeds helps to achieve a good yield for your use. If you are planning to grow any particular strain for medicinal usage, you can shop here from your trusted source of premium marijuana seeds.

If you are a first-time in growing marijuana at home, choose the easiest strain to care. It will help you learn about the plant, while not having to invest too much time, money, and other resources into it when growing marijuana at home.

Among pure, feminized, and auto-flowering seeds, auto-flowering could be the best choice for novice growers. They produce 100 percent female plants that will give a completely usable yield.

Also, auto-flowering seeds eliminate the need for photoperiod control in cannabis plants, making it easy for first-time growers. The seeds are straightforward to grow, and a simple set can give you a healthy yield.

3. Choose Growth Medium

Once you know the right place to plant your cannabis, you need to prepare the area to support growth.

The growth medium is responsible for transferring nutrients through water, and the entire set up should be capable of doing so effectively. You can choose between growing in the soil, or soilless mediums, such as hydroponics.

In the case of soil as a medium, water the plants and add nutrients to the soil for the plant. But in hydroponics, you directly feed the necessary nutrients to the water that increases absorption efficiency and supports quicker growth. It also reduces some common problems with soil as a medium, such as pest infestations.

Although both pose specific advantages, using soil is the best choice for first-timers to make the process simple and straightforward.

4. Set Up the Growth Area

Now you can move on to work on the growth area to nurture and support your cannabis plant.

Make sure to create provisions for adequate light availability in the home growing area. You can rely on sunlight or invest in artificial lighting systems using LEDs, HIDs, or fluorescents to create the right light levels.

Measure the temperature and humidity levels and install ventilation mechanisms to keep these parameters in check when growing marijuana at home. It reduces the risk of pest infestations and mold and keeps the area from smelling pungent.

Check the pH levels of your growing medium. The ideal range should be between 6-7 for soil and between 5.5 – 6.5 for hydroponics.

Test the soil to understand the availability of essential nutrients and supplement with the rest to promote growth at different stages.

5. Germinate and Plant your Cannabis

The next step is to germinate your seeds. Place the seeds directly in a pot or in a wet paper towel and leave it for a few days to let it sprout. Using a pot as your germination medium is advisable as it reduces the transplanting shock in the next stage.

When you plant sprouts, transfer it along with the soil to a large pot or grow medium.

The plant is now going to transition into a vegetative stage where you will see the sprout grow into leaves. The temperature requirement is slightly higher during this time, and all the essential nutrients need to be adequately available for healthy growth.

Be mindful of light availability throughout this period. Monitor the growth and look out for any signs of plant deficiencies to provide the necessary remedies.

6. Monitor the Flowering Stage

The next step for your cannabis plant is the flowering stage. This is when your plant starts to form small flowers, which will eventually turn into buds that we consume. It is a critical phase in the life of a cannabis plant and requires maximum care and attention.

If you are working with pure cannabis seeds in growing marijuana at home, you might have to vary the photoperiod to lead your plant to this stage and weed out the males. Auto-flowering seeds reduce the effort in such areas and only require minimal adjustments in temperature.

Maintain the temperature between 64° F and 78°F and increase the watering levels to flush your plant with nutrients that contribute to aroma, taste, and potency.

Your plant also requires some grooming during this stage to provide space for the flowers. Trim and bend the leaves to make sure your entire plant gets enough light and nutrients and is easy to maintain.

Watch out for signs such as yellowing of leaves or browning at the tips, which could indicate pH imbalance or nutrient deficiency. Caring for your plant during this stage will give you the best yield.

7. Get Ready to Harvest and Relish the Yield

Finally, the moment you have been waiting for. It is time to harvest the buds and relish your yield. The color depth of the pistils and hairs indicate the maturity and potency of the buds.

When they are about 50 – 70 percent dark, you will get a yield rich in THC content. If you wish to enjoy a relaxing effect from the buds, then wait for at least 80 percent of the flowers to become dark in color to harvest.

With the help of scissors, cut the buds and hang them upside down to dry out for five days. Place them in a jar and store in a cold, dry, and darkroom. Make sure to remove air from the container to let the buds cure and get ready for use.

Growing your cannabis at home can be a fun and exciting activity, but it can also be challenging at times. Although these instructions give you the basic idea of taking your cannabis seeds through the growth process to harvest, there are several strain-specific details, such as temperature levels and lighting requirements that need to be taken care of.

Research and gather these details and apply them wherever relevant to cherish the yield of your cannabis plant.

Kratom: 4 Reasons Why It’s Worth Exploring

If you have been closely monitoring the Internet and been finding ways to keep yourself healthy, chances are you’ve seen this term once or twice. You might have even seen or heard about this in the news, especially with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)’s interest in cracking down on these products.

While Kratom tends to draw flak from these government agencies, there’s still a large buzz surrounding this product, now more than ever thanks to many claims that it helped them wean off their addiction. However, apart from serving as a relief of sorts for opioid addiction and withdrawal, there has been a growing following for this herbal supplement/recreational drug because of its mood-boosting capabilities.

With all the mix of information around Kratom, it may be challenging to know exactly what’s what. To shed more light on this product, we’ll be tackling what this really is and why you should explore this herbal plant/recreational drug. Take a look.

What is Kratom?

Before anything else, kratom, otherwise known as Mitragyna speciosa, comes from a tree with the same name. Native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand, its leaves have been used as herbal medicine to treat a variety of conditions. In particular, it has been used to address pain as it attaches to similar nerve cells in your brain to even helping manage sleep and other health conditions.

Today, it is also being utilized as a recreational drug of sorts and is consumed in a number of ways. The most popular being brewed into a tea, being utilized in cooking, and even being chewed. It is also being smoked or ingested through the use of ground-up pills.

Why You Should Incorporate Kratom in Your Life

Provide Pain Relief

Though the FDA and the DEA claim that kratom has no medical benefits, it has long been used in different parts on the globe, particularly in Asian regions, to treat chronic pain and even opiate-related withdrawal pain.

Other illnesses and conditions such as diarrhea, diabetes, fever, and hypertension have also found significant results when this is consumed. All of these pain-relieving benefits can be attributed to the alkaloid found within kratom, such as mitragynine which is recognized for its analgesic properties.

Enhance Mood

More than physical pain, this herbal drug is also considered a miracle worker as it eases emotional pain by promoting a euphoric feeling, thus inducing a general feeling of contentedness and even happiness.

Address Sleep Problems

One of the effects of consuming this is drowsiness. Higher doses of this drug can lead to sleepiness and even induce individuals to be in a dreamlike state. By consuming this plant, you can help treat sleeping problems such as insomnia as it can help lull you into a deep and restful slumber, allowing you to take the next day feeling much more energized. If you wish to address this particular concern, taking a cup of tea might work in your favor.

Boost Immune System

For those who wish to feel more energetic and who want to strengthen their immune system, this drug will provide the burst of energy that you need to conquer the day. Moreover, it can also help you to become more relaxed and reduce your stress and anxiety levels, both of which tend to trigger and agitate your immune system.

The Bottom Line

Though there are still many studies conducted on kratom, there’s no denying the possible health benefits it can afford individuals. With the guidelines above, you can best gauge how you can incorporate this into your everyday life and why it’s even worth exploring in the first place.